Counting apparatus



(No Model.)

H. M. ALDRICH.

COUNTING APPARATUS.

No. 430,910. Patented June 24. 1890;

UNITED I STAT-ES PATENT OFFICE.

HOMER M. ALDRICH, OF BATTLE CREEK, MICHIGAN.

COUNTlNG APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 430,910, dated June 24, 1890.

Application filed January 3, 1890.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HOMER M. ALDRICH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Battle Creek, county of Calhoun, State of Michigan, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Counting Apparatus; and I declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to a new and useful improvement in counting apparatus; and it consists of the combinations of devices and appliances hereinafter specified and claimed, and more particularly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a plan view. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical section showing parts in elevation. Fig. 3 is a separate view of the tumbier; Fig. 4, a separate view of the toothed wheel; Fig. 5, a separate view of the post upon which the wheels are journaled, and Fig. 6 is a vertical cross-section.

The object of my inventionv is more particularly to provide counting apparatus with an alarm mechanism, the counter being provided with means for setting the same so as to accurately set off the alarm at any desired number for which the counter may be set.

For purposes of illustration I have herewith shown my invention as applied to a counting apparatus of specific construction, but would have it understood that I do not limit myself to a counting apparatus of the specific construction shown alone, as my invention is intended and adapted for application to various analogous devices.

I carry out my invention as applied to the construction herewith shown as follows:

A denotes a case of any desired construction and which may be provided with any suitable alarm mechanism A. In this case the alarm mechanism is provided with an escapement connected with a releasing-arm A B represents a removable plate or base provided with orifices 1), (shown in dotted lines, Fig 6,) and through which numbers are visible. Upon said base or plate is mounted a series of inclined toothed wheels 0 G C (l O", &c., having a rotatable engagement upon Serial No- 335.74-.6- (No model.)

D of which may be engaged in any suitable 7:

manner to a moving part of the mechanism to which the counting apparatus is applied, so asto operate the pawl and rotate the wheels, in the order of their construction and arrangement one with another. The wheel C may also be provided with a dog 0 to prevent its being inadvertently turned in the wrong direction. A spring E, bearing upon the dog, keeps it in proper contact with the wheel. Other analogous springs E are also provided to bear upon the wheels 0' O &c., to prevent their being inadvertently turned in the wrong direction. The pawl D is preferably held in place by means of a spring F, removably engaged therewith, and whereby the pawl is automatically retracted after each throw, so as to catch a new hold upon the toothed wheel. Lugs cl may be provided to hold the pawl down upon the plate, so as to properly catch the teeth of the adjacent wheel.

The case A may be open at one end, so that the plate 13 may be slid into and out of the case, the plate being provided with an upright end piece B to close the counter when the plate is in place, and through which the pawl D is extended. Upon the respective shafts G, upon which the wheels C O, &c., are rotatable, I mount a tumbler H, having a vertical and rotatable movement upon said shaft.

The wheel may be provided with a pin 0, set

The various teeth of the wheels are provided with a number, and each of the tumblers is provided with a suitable recess, as at H. It will thus be evident that each of the tumblers may be raised clear of the wheel beneath and turned about, so as to bring the recess l'I opposite any desired number upon the wheel, when it may be dropped into e11- gagement with the wheel, so as to be rotated therewith. A spring Il may be employed to hold the tumblers down in engagement with the wheel in any position to which it may be adjusted.

J is a releasing-bar provided with a series of fingers j, arranged to bear upon the adjacent faces of the tumblers. At the end adjacent to the alarm A the bar is constructed and arranged to hold and to release the arm A connected with the alarm -as, forinstance, by a fingerj, so extended as to hold said arm and prevent the alarm from sounding when the counting mechanism is moving onto the required .number and to release the said arm when the desired number is reached. To this end the spring-bar is so arranged as to hold the arm A when the fingers 7' are held upon the surface of the tumblers; but when the tumblers have been rotated so that the recesses II come into line the fingers will drop into said recesses, thereby releasing the said arm.

The toothed wheels are so constructed as to register tens, hundreds, thousands, &e., on successive wheels. If the outer wheels are not to be moved in counting the number desired, they are so set that upon the balance of the wheels being brought into position to make the recesses H come into line, so that all the fingers of the spring-bar will drop thereinto, the spring-bar will operate to release the alarm mechanism. I would have it understood that I do not limit myself to this precise arrangement of wheels and tumblers, nor to this particular manner of rotating them to gather up the required number. It is well known that the tumblers may be arranged in various ways and be variously operated to secure the end desired, and my invention contemplates as coming within its scope various ways for counting up to the desired number.

\Vhat I desire to particularly protect is the combination, with a counting mechanism, of devices to control and sound an alarm when the desired number is counted. Therefore in showing the particular counting mechanism herewith illustrated in the drawings I do not wish to be limited in the scope of my invention solely thereto. Instead of sounding an alarm my invention also contemplates releasing a signal as being practically an equivalent and constituting an alarm within the scope of the following claims.

The wheels 0 C, &c., are provided with figures on both sides. The figures on the one side are to make it handy to set the device to signal at the required number, while the figures on the other side are for observation in the working of the machine.

hat I claim as my invention is- 1. In combination, a counting mechanism consisting of a series of wheels and recessed tumblers revolving therewith and means for operating the same, a releasing device, and an alarm for signal controlled by said releasing device, said latter devicearranged to enter the recesses of said tumblers when the same are properly brought into line and release the alarm, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination, with a counting mechanism consisting of a series of wheels and recessed tumblers mounted upon suitable posts, springs exerting a pressure to clamp the tumblers to the wheels, and means for rotating the wheels, of a releasing device, and an alarm or signal controlled by the releasing device, said latter device arranged to en ter the recesses of said tumblers when the .same are properly brought into line, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination, with a counting mechanism consisting of a series of wheels and recessed tumblers and means for operating the same, of an alarm or signal, anda releasing device by which the alarm or signal is controlled, said releasing device consisting of a rod having fingers which enter the recesses of the tumblers when they are brought into line and thereby release the alarm, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I sign this specification in the presence of two witnesses.

HOMER M. ALDRICH. Witnesses:

L. A. PALMER, R. A. HURT. 

